Hyperbole is a figure of speech, which is an exaggeration. Persons often use expressions such as "I nearly died laughing," "I was hopping mad," and "I tried a thousand times." Such statements are not literally true, but people make them to sound impressive or to emphasize something, such as a feeling, effort, or reaction.
Activity: Draw a cartoon about school or your favorite sport that includes a hyperbole (You might draw and exaggerate a humorous situation that you saw or were a part of the action.). Put the hyperbole in a different color so that it is obvious to your teacher.
Similes are comparisons that show how two things that are not alike in most ways are similar in one important way. Similes are a way to describe something. Authors use them to make their writing more interesting or entertaining.
Similes use the words “as” or “like” to make the connection between the two things that are being compared.
Examples:
1. Playing chess with Ashley is like trying to outsmart a computer.
The activity “playing chess with Ashley” is being compared to “trying to outsmart a computer.” The point is that Ashley can think in a powerful manner that resembles the way a computer operates, not that she is like a computer in any other way.
2. His temper was as explosive as a volcano.
His temper is being compared to a volcano in that it can be sudden and violent.
2009 Mary Readman Write On contest Judging Criteria Guide Junior Reporters:
1. Demonstrates the students gathered all the facts.
2. Answers the 5W’s of reporting- Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
3. Clarity.
4. Spelling, Grammar, Legibility
The School Desk Disaster
Writers Tool Box
Hyperbole is a figure of speech, which is an exaggeration. Persons often use expressions such as "I nearly died laughing," "I was hopping mad," and "I tried a thousand times." Such statements are not literally true, but people make them to sound impressive or to emphasize something, such as a feeling, effort, or reaction.
Activity: Draw a cartoon about school or your favorite sport that includes a hyperbole (You might draw and exaggerate a humorous situation that you saw or were a part of the action.). Put the hyperbole in a different color so that it is obvious to your teacher.
Similes are comparisons that show how two things that are not alike in most ways are similar in one important way. Similes are a way to describe something. Authors use them to make their writing more interesting or entertaining.
Similes use the words “as” or “like” to make the connection between the two things that are being compared.
Examples:
1. Playing chess with Ashley is like trying to outsmart a computer.
The activity “playing chess with Ashley” is being compared to “trying to outsmart a computer.” The point is that Ashley can think in a powerful manner that resembles the way a computer operates, not that she is like a computer in any other way.
2. His temper was as explosive as a volcano.
His temper is being compared to a volcano in that it can be sudden and violent.
Word Pictures